The National Park of Ainos was declared the first International Dark Sky Park.
The National Park of Ainos was declared the first International Dark Sky Park to be certified by the International Dark Sky Association of the USA in Greece.
On 9 June, the National Park of Ainos became the first International Dark Sky Park in Greece, as it was certified as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association of the United States. It is managed by the Natural Environment & Climate Change Agency (NECCA)
An "International Dark Sky Park" is an area that has outstanding and/or distinguished night sky quality and a night environment that is specifically protected for scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage and recreational purposes.
Every year, the National Park of Ainos is a destination for many visitors who want to admire its rich biodiversity and natural landscape and hike its trails. The establishment of an International Dark Sky Park in Kefalonia and in Greece, as well as the existence of the Kefalonian Research Foundation "EYDOXOS" (KIE/EYDOXOS) with the largest observatory in the Ionian Islands, creates the possibilities/ conditions for the protection of species and habitat types of the Park from light pollution, the development of astronomical tourism, astrophotography, stargazing and of course the international promotion of the National Park of Ainos
The staff of NECCA, through the implementation of environmental education/information programs, workshops/lectures on the problem of light pollution to schools and citizens of Kefalonia-Ithaca, as well as related actions of stargazing and skywatching within the Dark Sky International Park, aims to raise awareness of the local community for the conservation and management of the "Dark Sky", as well as to develop the conditions for the sustainable development of the Protected Area and the island in general.
We would like to thank the institutions and citizens of Kefalonia and Greece who contributed to this international recognition and promotion of the National Park of Ainos
NECCA
The Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA) is a Legal Entity under Private Law and its purpose is the implementation of the policy of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, with a focus on sustainable practices, for the management of protected areas in Greece, the conservation of biodiversity, the promotion and implementation of sustainable development actions and the fight against climate change.
It is supervised by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, has administrative and financial autonomy and operates in the public interest according to the rules of private enterprise.
